Canadian hydropower plant opening doors during Ottawa celebration

The Ontario Waterpower Association is celebrating this year's Doors Open Ottawa festivities with a number of events, highlighted by educational tours of Hydro Ottawa's Chaudiere Falls hydroelectric project.

Doors Open Ottawa is part of the Doors Open Ontario program -- an annual event in which residents are invited to visit some of the most "interesting and architecturally intriguing buildings and sites" for educational and cultural enrichment.

Tours of Chaudiere Falls Generating Station No. 2 will be held June 1-2, but the Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) said its members will be holding a series of events across the province throughout the summer months as well.

"Many Ontario communities were built around waterways, and waterpower was their first source of electricity," OWA President Paul Norris said. "These events provide the public with a unique opportunity to sneak a peek inside some historic gems and some brand new projecst."

Chaudiere Falls Generating Station No. 2 -- constructed by industrialist E.H. Bronson in 1891 -- is a National Capital Commission heritage-designated building, and one of the original buildings on Victoria Island. OWA said it believes the plant is the oldest operating hydropower project in Canada.

HydroWorld.com reported in November 2012 that Hydro Ottawa had acquired three generating stations, a 38.3% interest in the consortium that owns Chaudiere Falls Dam, and water rights at Chaudiere Falls. The deal gave the company control of six of the seven generating stations located at Chaudiere Falls.